Wakefield District gets national funding to transform respiratory pathway

Wakefield District has secured £300,000 of national funding to transform its treatment of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) locally.

It follows a successful application to the Respiratory Pathway Transformation Fund (PTF).  Wakefield’s bid – among strong interest from across the country – was recognised for both its quality and strength of the proposed approach.

Respiratory disease is a major cause of ill health and premature mortality in Wakefield, with around 70 more premature deaths annually than the national average (Joint Strategic Nees Assessment, 2024).

COPD prevalence is 2.7 per cent – higher than the 1.9 per cent England average – and asthma affects 7.2 per cent of those aged six-years-old and over, compared to 6.5 per cent nationally (Fingertips, 2024).

High smoking prevalence combined with industrial legacy worsens respiratory health outcomes and contributes to health inequality across the district.

Emergency admissions for asthma and COPD are high and these pressures strain both primary and secondary care, particularly during winter months when respiratory illnesses spike.

The new programme aims to drive whole pathway, evidence-based, respiratory transformation in asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) between October 2025 and March 2026.

Work is now underway on delivering a range of innovations that will benefit Wakefield District patients, including:

• Accelerated early and accurate diagnosis by increasing disease recognition and expanding access to quality-assured spirometry.
• Embedded risk-stratified, optimised care to prevent avoidable exacerbations.
• Expanded access to biologics (complex medicines).
• Implementation of NICE and British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidance across the respiratory pathway.
• Strengthened respiratory workforce capacity and data capability.

Wakefield will implement a robust case-finding model to support earlier, more accurate diagnosis of Asthma and COPD, identifying patients with relevant risk indicators. Flagged patients will undergo clinical review to assess suitability for diagnostic testing. Those meeting criteria will be invited for spirometry. Confirmed diagnoses will lead to personalised care plans, aligned with national guidelines, delivered by a respiratory specialist nurse and supported by a GP.

Additional spirometry appointments will be offered by maximising the use of existing spirometry clinics and introducing additional community clinics located closer to patients’ homes.

Targeted training to general practice staff across Wakefield will ensure high-quality, consistent delivery and interpretation of diagnostics, and personalised management plans.

Patient identified as being most at risk will be prioritised for discussion at a monthly multiprofessional respiratory review meeting.

The work is linked to the Health Innovation Network Respiratory Transformation Programme (RTP) – a nationally coordinated initiative.

The RTP is jointly funded by NHS England and the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) and led by Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley (HIOTV).